SELF-CRITICISM

 

Mariam felt sad at her failures. She felt desolate and worthless.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "That is the state where you are too harsh on yourself."

Lord Jesus told us to "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39). If we practise self-hatred, how can we ever love others as the Savior did? You can only love another as much as you love yourself.

You are beautiful. If there are parts of yourself which have been hurt, corrupted, or are no longer beautiful, turn to Jesus. Repent, ask pardon, receive grace. If possible, go to confession and receive the absolution. And then, try again.

We are an ongoing work of holiness until the work Jesus has begun in us is completed, and we become saints.

Don't be too hard on yourself: we were made from the sand of the earth, and God never forgets that. Yet we carry the Divine spark within us, the Image and Likeness of God.

Love yourself. Respect your successes. Chalk your failures down to experience. Repent your sin. Ask pardon when you have transgressed. Receive God's Grace. Be at peace when you receive God's forgiveness.

Be gentle on yourself. Be gentle to the world around you. Respect others, and all life which shares this planet with you. Realize there is something beautiful in us all.

All this will help us not to indulge in over self-criticism.

If you wish for peace from repentance, perhaps you may find comfort at the following Chapel of Repentance,

https://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html

DO NOT BE SHY TO GIVE EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

 

Mariam regarded her miniature library. In pride of place stood the Bible containing the luminous books of both Torah and New Testament. Shakepeare's 'Hamlet', works by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Scott's 'Lady of the Lake' jostled for space on the shelves. Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' and Austen's delightful 'Emma' stood quietly alongside Dickens' 'The Cricket on the Hearth.'. 

Rufinus' Ecclesiastical History lay open alongside writings of Ferdinand Christian Baur, Professor Peter Davidson, Clayton O' Neill and Agnes Sanford. 

Mariam was completing an assignment after long hours of study. She was tempted to complete her work in a scribbling style, due to feeling so very tired.

Rabbi Jesus encouraged her, "Do not fail at the last gate."

If followers of the Divine do not give excellence in the very small issues as well as the larger ones, they fail only themselves - and in turn Him Whose Service to whom they belong.

TASK OF HOLINESS REGARDING SIN

It was a quiet, grey day. Mariam had read the newspaper, and noted the number of murders, crimes, incidents of abuse.

Mariam said, "Sin ..."

Rabbi Jesus completed her sentence "... has reached epidemic proportions."

Every follower of the Divine has a task during life on earth. To bring peace to situations of conflict: to bring forgiveness to difficult situations. To bring holiness into a world struggling with sin. 

Christ has told us, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Shine your light before everyone. Have confidence in your spiritual beauty. You are a spark of the Divine, made in the Image and Likeness of God. 

You have a prophetic voice of holiness within this world - use it for good.

SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

 

Mariam knew someone who was deliberately breaking up another woman's marriage.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "She has no spiritual right."

Respect the bonds of others' marriages. Always.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

Mariam had grown spiritually over the decades.  She told the Rabbi, "How life with you has changed me."

Rabbi Jesus answered her, "You have burst your original boundaries. The snail no longer fits the shell."

Spiritual growth follows relationship with Christ as surely as day follows night.

HAPPINESS

 

Mariam had found happiness. Seated before a red candle which flickered glowing light, she listened to the tick of a clock. At prayer, she felt so happy.

Rabbi Jesus told her, "You have discovered that you do not find happiness in marriage, single life, religious life. It is within yourself that you discover it."

The benison of a pure heart and a forgiving spirit can bring both peace and joy. Close relationship with the Divine brings happiness in its train.

WE ARE ALL FAMILY

 

Someone who had a well-earned reputation for disliking Mariam asked her for assistance. Mariam was reluctant to get involved due to past hurt and her own current financial struggles. 

Rabbi Jesus told her, "She is still our sister in the greater scheme of things."

Always give whatever help possible in each particular circumstance.